2 COAL 262 HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE SIXTY-NINTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON COAL LEGISLATION 94856 MARCH 30, 31, AND APRIL 1, 2, 6, 7, AND 8, 1926 COAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, The committee met at 10 o'clock a. m., Hon. James S. Parker (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will please come to order. The first witness we will hear this morning is Mr. Treadway of Massa chusetts. STATEMENT OF HON. ALLEN T. TREADWAY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS The CHAIRMAN. Before you begin, Mr. Treadway, I would rather that you would discuss the theory of this subject than any particular bill, at this time. Mr. TREADWAY. You mean the reason for any need of legislation? The CHAIRMAN. Yes, exactly. Mr. TREADWAY. Does that cover your idea? The CHAIRMAN. That covers my idea exactly. Mr. TREADWAY. First, Mr. Chairman, I would like to express, through you, my appreciation of the courtesy of this committee in asking me to appear first this morning on a subject which I think is of very material interest to the people of our country. Perhaps you extended that invitation to me somewhat in recognition of my early interest in the general subject of coal legislation. I believe that I introduced the first bill a little more than two years ago, following the findings of the United States Coal Commission. I honestly feel that this committee is about two years late in opening these hearings. At the same time, I believe in the old adage, "Better late than never." You may recall that I have persistently and continuously asked for hearings on this subject. It reminds me of another old adage, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." In that connection, more than likely you will at once ask, "why worry? There is an agreement between the miners and the operators in both the bituminous and anthracite fields." (And, by the way, most of my remarks, Mr. Chairman, will be addressed to the anthracite situation rather than to the bituminous situation.) My answer to that inquiry, "Why worry when we have a five-year agreement?" is the example we have to-day of the lack of preparedness in this matter, bringing on the opportunity for the strike which has just within a few weeks been settled. If this legislation, or if this effort for legislation had been carried out some two years 1 |